Around 500 excited youngsters enjoyed their first day at their brand new school today (Monday).

Primary pupils waved their old schools goodbye on Friday before being welcomed at the new £16million Balloch campus.

Almost 500 pupils will be educated at the new state-of the-art school, which will house St Kessog’s Primary as well as the new Balloch Primary, which is comprised of pupils from the former Haldane and Jamestown primaries.

The campus will also have an additional support needs (ASN) unit on site as well as a new Balloch Early Learning and Childcare Centre, replacing Jamestown Nursery.

Deirdre McGowan, head teacher at St Kessog’s PS, said: “I am delighted with our new building and the children were so excited to see it. We are thrilled with the new learning environment we will be learning in.

"The children and staff are all so pleased with our new school. "

Jan Campbell, acting head at Balloch Early Education and Childcare Centre, said: “I am delighted to see the opening of the new building today. The centre has lots of space and lots of outdoor toys for the children to explore in their new environment.”

Karen Hollern, head teacher of Balloch Primary, said: “We are so delighted with our new school. The children just love their new classrooms and it was great to see their happy faces as they came through the doors for the first time.

"We are all looking forward to starting our learning and teaching in our new environment.”

Grandfather, Donald Eacups, who was dropping off his three year-old grandson, said: ”The building looks very nice and I am really delighted that my grandson, Eliah, is very excited to start the new nursery.

"I wish all the children and the staff all the very best in their new building which is a wonderful building which will benefit generations to come”

Excited youngsters also shared their delight.

P7 pupil Grace Crocket, of Balloch Primary School, said: “I’m really excited to spend the remainder of my P7 year in this lovely new building. I also can’t wait to see the rest of the school.”

And Lewis McKerry, who is in P4/3 at St Kessog’s Primary, said: " It’s really good and I really like it. The first thing I saw when I came in was the P1 area and it was very bright.”

Young Alex McKerry, P1, said: ”The new school is good and the best bit is the P1 classroom and my teacher.”